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Brothers in War

Published Nov. 5, 2013

Charlie Sheen Reads

Photograph by: Marley Maron

Charlie Sheen reading the script for "Brothers in War." Through gripping first-person accounts and digitally remastered archival footage, including the soldiers’ own home movies and personal audio tapes, Brothers in War recounts the harrowing combat experiences of the men of Charlie Company — one of the last American combat infantry companies to be drafted, trained and sent to fight together in Vietnam. The two-hour special is fittingly narrated by Charlie Sheen, who rose to stardom after his 1986 performance as a Vietnam soldier in “Platoon.”

Armed and Dangerous

Photograph by Department of Army/National Archives

Charlie Company was one of the last combat infantry companies to be drafted, trained and sent to war in Vietnam together.

On the Water

Photograph by Department of Army/National Archives

Charlie Company's efforts were focused in the Mekong Delta Region of South Vietnam.

Hi Charlie, my dad served in the Vietnam War and said that the only movie that accurately depicted his experience in Vietnam is "Platoon". The movie helped open the door for him to finally feel ready to talk about his experiences. My family only received bits and pieces at first but now he talks pretty openly about it. He even just heard from a guy in Michigan, this past July, that served in one of the platoons that his platoon worked with while he was there. He was extremely happy to hear from him. This guy told him that there is another guy that was in his platoon that wrote a book about a battle that they all fought in--Tam Ky. The title of the book is "Tam Ky-The Battle for Nui Yon Hill". My dad said the book is accurate. I just want to thank you for everything you do to support all of our veterans and thank you for all your efforts to tell the story of what happened in Vietnam.

I watched this documentary last Saturday. John Young, from West St. Paul, Minnesota was one of the men featured. He is a high school classmate of mine. At our fiftieth class reunion last September he told us about the book, The Boys of '67. and the upcoming documentary. We were notified about the airing. I plan to watch it again on Wednesday. These men are heroes in spite of the unpopular war status. The film gives praise to their service and action in war. They are commended for their efforts and courage. We did lose two of our classmates in that war and this is a memorial to them along with their names on the Wall in Washington, DC.

This is a documentary that every American should see. Thanks to N.G. for presenting such a well-rounded and respectful representation of those who served in Vietnam.

I've recently returned from a trip to Ft. Campbell with my father, a Vietnam veteran, for a military ceremony which honored veterans through active-duty soldiers. Many of these men gave their lives, including my father's best friend (and my Godfather) who was killed in Vietnam.

I believe that this film has come at a time when veterans and civilians alike are more ready to examine the deep-complexities of this war.

In particular, it's time for all of us to more deeply understand and honor the level of bravery and sacrifice of those who served in Vietnam. This recognition should then be joined with the commitment of every American to never again turn our backs on our troops, no matter what our personal beliefs may be.

I was a medic with A company of the 9th. I was at Fort Riley and went over on the ship with Charlie company in 1967. I was stationed in camp Bearcat. I'm glad to see that their story made it to the screen so people will finally know the whole story about Vietnam.

Having served in the 9th ID, 3/34th 105mm Artillery Battery C, Mobile Riverine Force on the barges (Sept.1968- July 1969 gun 3,4) and inland supporting the Infantry's needs of fire power it was interesting to see their side of the equation.

Ah how I miss Capt. Wood and never got a chance to thank him for busting me to Corporal, turned out to be a great favor!

Especially thanks to the nearby INFANTRY GI's who frequently guarded our perimeter in KLAW. They were on PROFILE (?) with, mainly, jungle rot on their lower extremities due to hours in the water of the rice patties. Your additional security on our perimeter, while we were busy with fire missions each night, for your pals, WAS APPRECIATED!

I was very impressed and honored to watch this documentary. I came up in the 70's and remembered watching on TV things going on in Vietnam plus the caskets, so many caskets of the boys coming home plus the reunions of the men with their families.

Terry McBride was just like my neighbor 'Shotgun' who served in 1965-1969 Special Forces 101st Airborne Green Beret. Shotgun would have done the same thing to that prisoner that Mr. McBride did. That VC did not deserve to ride with his friend. I am glad he did what he did. The VC did a lot worse to us, that everybody has seemed to forgotten conveniently.

These men deserve our utmost respect and a thanking them with a handshake of doing their job and doing it well. Too many have been shunned because of it not being a 'popular' war. It doesn't matter, they did what they where called to do and believed in what they where doing was right.

I would like to be able to say 'Thank You' to all who served in whatever capacity in this war (not a conflict) and know there are some of us out there that are very grateful to you and your families.

My father was in Charlie Company, I am speechless, and proud to be his son. This program was more insightful and made me think How lucky I was to be born. My dad survived came back to the world and started a family...Thanks Dad!

Incredibly well restored footage of the river war and the horrors of combat. I served as cox'n on Tango 112-11 Feb-Aug 1968. Many of us on the boats thought the Army had it worse than the Navy boat crews; the grunts hated being on the boats because they felt so vulnerable to ambushes while enroute to the operating areas. (We lost a full platoon within five seconds on August 18, 1968.) On that day I was wounded and medevac'd home.

Well done Lou Reda Productions and National Geographic.

Thank you,

Wendell Affield

Author: Muddy Jungle Rivers : A River Assault Boat Cox'n's Memory Journey of His War in Vietnam and Return Home

I'm a recent college graduate of Penn State University and studied a lot about the Vietnam War while obtaining my bachelor degree. This documentary was simply astonishing and shows who the real heroes of our nation are. It was very moving and educational, yet showing the harsh realties of war. I just wanna say thanks to all the veterans for fighting for our freedom. Freedom comes at a very gruesome cost, but charlie company made that sacrifice. God Bless you guys.

I was in the Mobile Riverine Force attached with the 9TH ID. from 11/67-11/68 and was wounded 4 April 1968. This i believe will be the first doc. depicting the Navy and Army's Riverine's which were a very specialized unit and I am sure the National Geographic Channel will portray our service to our country with accuracy and respect

I have seen the 2+ hour rough cut of the production back in July of 13. It is terrific from beginning to end, no hollywood B/S. All original footage, well cleaned up,formatted for HD. The sound is equally good, as are the interviews form 12 of the men that were there for that year.It will feel as though you are there with the men,so be warned,the realisim is extraordinary .We will see about 88 mins. when the final cut is made.

Dear Sam Johnson, as an FYI.... we totally lucked out that one of our ole Charlie Company troopers (John Young) inadvertently became friends with the noted historian/author Dr. Andrew Wiest and that Dr. Wiest chose to spend six years of his life writing a book about us. And amazingly enough, National Geographic chose to create a documentary based on the book. To a man, every 4th/47th ole trooper I've communicated with who has Dr. Wiest's book, "The Boy's of '67" tell me that though it's covers Charlie Company it's really about what we all experienced. I, for one, am most grateful to Dr. Wiest and National Geographic for keeping our unit's exploits alive. We shall never forget our fallen. Big kudos go to Lou Reda Productions for their outstanding work creating "Brothers in War" and remembering us. www.9thinfantrydivision.com

John Young,in this photo at the wall, is my brother. This program was actually filmed because of a book that was written about Charlie Company, called "The Boys of '67". You simply must read it if you are a veteran of the war or if you have family who was. The author is Andrew Weist. Dr, Weist teaches at the University of Southern MS in Hattiesburg. One of his classes is on the Viet Nam war. He met my brother, John, through the V.A. in Gulfport as he wanted to write about PTSD. After meeting my brother, John asked if he could sit in on the class and Dr. Weist said, "No, but you can team teach with me." And so it began . . . .

@Lou Lesc I was Navy and served on A-111-3. On occasion, we would escort the "arty barges" upriver to their firebase location, usually on river by a small village. The mess barge food was way better than ship food. We use to call this op "Hash and Trash".

@Diane Blaisdell Diane, your brother did a great job in his interviews. I'm too young (or old now) to have served in any war so I have no idea what veterans go through both during and after but this show drew me in, informed me, and hit me hard. The final 10 minutes were tough for me and frustrated me to no end. Your brother, in one of the final statements of the show said "Don't be smug about your morality until you've had it tested." This should be on our dollar bill !

I'm going to refer to it often.

I wish him nothing but the best, he's been down an amazing and horrible road but he can be rest assured, he's affecting lives in a great way now and should keep doing what he's doing. If he does, I know the positives will far outweigh all the negative he's witnessed or feels he has produced.

@Sam Johnson Dad to be honest if you want stories told about Alpha Co you and hand full of men that survived need to tell your story... I and others will never know what you went thur until your story is told.

Daddy I am honored you served.. I serve your brothers in arms everyday at work you have given me a huge heart to care for my Vets in a way no other nurse can.. Thank you

Mr. Johnson, what took place on 06/19/1967 is in the production, what happened to A co. when it was over, is covered, not alot though, the magnatude of your ordeal that is told is quite endearing sir. Your brothers will never be forgotten, America will now know.

Mr. Reynolds I will be at the march event sir, I will have a USS Constellation CV-64 hat on. I hope to meet you, the story of you and your men will now be told to America, thats all any soldier can ask for after so many years.